Almon attended Brown University in his native Providence, Rhode Island, was named TSN College Player of the Year, and was the first player chosen in the June 1974 draft, signing with the Padres for $100,000. Tall and rangy, Almon became starting shortstop for San Diego in 1977, but Ozzie Smith came along in 1978 and Almon was relegated to utility duty. Released by the Mets in 1980, in 1981 Almon was second in AL Comeback Player of the Year voting, batting .301 for Chicago, the best batting average for a starting AL shortstop in 11 years. He returned to a utility role with Oakland and Pittsburgh.
